SHREVEPORT, LA— With 57 percent of its undergraduate student body
studying abroad, Centenary College has been ranked third highest among
the Top 10 U.S. master's institutions cited for exemplary participation,
according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

From a report stating that study abroad should be "an integral part
of education for all students," the Chronicle cites findings
of the Institute of International Education that show the U.S. colleges
with the highest proportion of students who do study abroad during their
undergraduate career.

In the master's institutions listing, Centenary followed Linfield College,
where 87.1 percent of students study abroad, and Elon University, with
83.8 percent. Centenary, at third, was followed by the University of Saint
Thomas (52%), Calvin College (50.9%), the University of Richmond (48.3%),
Pacific Luthern University (47.6%), Gonzaga University (42.1%), Loyola
College in Maryland (42.1%) and Rollins College (40.4%).

"An intercultural experience is very much a part of the Centenary
experience," said Dr. Grace Bareikis, director of intercultural affairs.
"The Centenary faculty has recognized this need and has made it a
requirement for graduation that every student must complete an intercultural
experience before graduating." While not all students study abroad,
she said, many do choose that option. "We are one of a handful of
schools that require an intercultural experience before graduation."

Centenary offers a variety of study abroad options, ranging from a full
academic year to short-term summer study. "Students are extraordinarily
positive about their studies overseas," said Dr. Bareikis, who reads
all students' evaluations at the completion of their studies. "It
is not uncommon for students to say that this was the most significant
experience of their academic career."

The Chronicle's chart listing colleges with the highest proportions
studying abroad accompanied the article "Report Urges Federal Effort
to Triple Number of Students Studying Abroad: Educator's panel says American's
ignorance of the outside world is a 'national liability.' " Writer
Burton Bollage cites recommendations from the Association of International
Educators, who argue that action is urgently needed to overcome Americans'
"continuing insularity."

"We are unnecessarily putting ourselves at risk because of our stubborn
monolingualism and ignorance of the world," the report said.

In addition to master's institutions, the Chronicle listed the
top 10 performers in three other categories: research, doctoral and baccalaureate
institutions. Topping those lists were Yeshiva University and Georgetown
University among research institutions, Dartmouth College and Wake Forest
University among the doctoral institutions, and Eckerd College and Berea
College among baccalaureate schools.